CYPRUS: Cabinet approves 10-year National Plan for energy and climate change

Cyprus has approved a draft 2021-2030 National Plan for Energy and Climate which includes various policies and measures to combat climate change and improve energy supply.

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The plan sets a national goal for a 24% reduction in greenhouse emissions in Cyprus by 2030, compared to 2005 levels (excluding emissions from electricity, cement and pottery / brickworks), when the EU target is 40% for the bloc by 2030.

According to recent data, the contribution of the transport sector in Cyprus’ total emissions is 49%, the energy sector (excluding electricity) 17%, waste 14%, agriculture 12% and industry 8%.

The plan also takes into account the goal for introduction of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) into the EU’s gross final energy consumption by a total of 32% by 2030. No binding national targets have been decided so far.

As far as the reduction of energy consumption, it is noted that the goal at EU level is a reduction by 32.5% until 2030. The estimated national contribution of Cyprus is a 9.5% decrease in primary energy consumption, compared to the estimate consumption in 2007.

All Member States should submit a Consolidated Energy and Climate Plan to the European Commission outlining the national energy system, national climate policy and the national policy framework for five specific areas: security of energy supply, competitive and integrated internal energy market, reduction of energy demand, reduction of coal in the energy mix and promoting research and innovation in the energy sector.

The draft 10-year Cyprus plan for energy and climate, as well as the drafts of the respective National Plans of other Member States, will be presented for the first time next week before a technical working group.

The presentation will be followed by consultations with all stakeholders, so that the final National Plan is submitted by 31 December 2019.